“STILL PREJUDICED"

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11737, 26 January 1924, Page 5

“STILL PREJUDICED"

LADY ASTOR’S OPINION WOMEN MUST FIGHT. (Sydney “Sun” Cable.) LONDON, January 24. ‘‘l am certain that, if any man had done as much work for the party- as Miss Margaret Bondfield has, he would have been a member of Cabinet,” Baid Lady Astor in an angry speech at the reception of women members of Parliament and candidates by the Society of Equal Citizenship. She added that every woman in the country, irrespective of party, had been hoping that Miss Bondfield would ■become a member of the Cabinet. “AYe are all bitterly disappointed,” she said. “The omission is a sign that women have still to fight against the prejudices of the people. It was said that Miss Bondfield was omitted because of her want of Parliamentary experience. I know some members of Cabinet whose Parliamentary experience is not to their credit.” _ Mrs Jowson said that the Labour Party was really anxious to appoint women. She knew that Miss Bondfield did not want to enter the Cabinet. “It is a'tremendous advance to have women in the Government, and we all ought to be joyful at the prospect,” she concluded.